Grieving takes courage, time. Grief expert to speak 9/25, 26 Troy

Losing a loved one - whether anticipated or sudden, young or elderly - is life changing. There is no way to avoid the sense of loss and emptiness and sometimes conflicting feelings of anger and relief. People struggle everyday with grief. One of the best and most helpful people I have heard speak on grief is Dr. Alan Wolfelt, head of the Center for Loss & Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one or counsel those experiencing the depression of grief, you will have the opportunity to hear Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a national grief expert and author, speak in Troy, Tuesday, Sept. 25 and Wednesday, Sept. 26. Both events are sponsored by A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors, open to the public and professionals and free of charge. The events will be held at the Management Education Center located at 811 W. Square Lake Rd. in Troy.

Alan Wolfelt brings a special perspective on grief. He is personable, compassionate and practical in his approach to helping people work their way through grief and depression. His life’s work is dedicated to helping people mourn well, including professionals who help others on their journey through grief.

Grief One Day at a Time will be presented Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Management Education Center located at 811 W. Square Lake Rd. in Troy. Dr. Wolfelt will speak about:

- Acknowledging the need to mourn authentically

- Recognizing the uniqueness of your personal grief journey

- Exploring the multitude of emotions as you grieve

- Identifying the value of support including who is in your support system

- Having hope that you will heal

At When Grief is Complicated, a seminar for professionals including bereavement counselors and hospice professionals as well as the public, on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, Dr. Wolfelt will discuss the following topics:

- The wilderness of complicated grief

- Complicated grief influences and risk factors

- Identifying complicated grief symptoms and sub categories

- Companioning principles

- Facilitating active engagement with the six needs of mourning

Both events are sponsored by A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors as a free community service. Reservations are encouraged. (For professionals seeking SW CE credit the cost is $30 for 3.0 SW CE hours for the When Grief Gets Complicated seminar.)

Advance registration is encouraged for both events. Call A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors at (248) 362-2500. Visit www.AJDesmond.com for further information, registration and directions.